gallagher



(Modell) 4 J. E. GALLAGHER.

EXPLODING-AND TAMPING WEIGHT FOR TORPEDOES.

N0. .247 '336. Patented Sept. 13,1881.

WITNE$SES gNYgENTOR: 7 BY MUM Kl gafym mvfk' V. V

ATTORNEYS.

To dll whom it may-concermg otf-Olean', in the county of Gattarangus and UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

JAMES E- GALLAGHER.

or min. nnw; 20m.

exempt no. Ann TAM ine wit-:1 e HT FOR iron Paco as.

tenement sw m n trea sfiitiiniai T371381. Application filed June 9, 1.881. (Model)- Be it known that 1, JAMES E. GALLAGHER,

State of New York, have invented a new and yi'sefiil Improvement inTamping and Firing "Devices for Torpedoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descri -ion. Y

My invention relates to a tampingand firing device for topedoes whichis more particularly intended fornse in'oil-wells, .bnt is also appli cable to wells and drills of various des'crip tions.

The invention consists of a device whic serves the double purpose of exploding the shell and tamping the charge, as hereinaf er more particularly described. 4

The accompanying draw ngs illustrate a mode of carrying out my invention.

i of my improved cartridge or torpedo. is a similar view of the exploding and tamp i log device; Fig. 3 is a view of the upper end;

"Fignre -1-'s-a;centrai1'erticai I Fig. 2

of the torpedo, withthe head removed. Fig.

glycerine 'or other explosive compound.

1"isla transverse section taken in the'line was of Fig. 1. Fig. 5'jis a detail view of a percus- .sion cap and nipple, hereinafter. more particu-x layly referred to. y Similar "letters of reference indicate corresponding 'parts. Y

" Aj'epresents a shellfor holdingthe nitrgis preferably cylindrical in form, and may have tapering lower end. The diameterof the shell is less than that of the well or drill-hole in which it is to be used, and jn'ord'er to enable it to rest centrally in said wellor drill hole it is'provided with guards consisting of wires agb'entin 'semicircularform and attached 'toits exterior. v

In the upper portion ofthe shellA is a ut' the-shell, and perforated'so'as to communicate'therewith; In this chamber are a number of tubes, D,also perforated, and having an anvil, c, at th bottom. In each tube D is placed a in chef .of percussion -'.caps, E.-

There'niaybe any suitable number of tubes and caps. I each containing three caps.

cap in which it rests, and the upper end serves as an anvil for the cap next above it. The: uppermost rod or nipple 'is elongated and forms a"firing-pin:,.G Over. the upper ends of the firing-pins Gis placed aplungeror follower, H, which formsthe headofthecartridge or torpedo. y

I The shell is provided with a swinging. hendle-or hail, f, to which-a cord rnaybe attached got: lowering the torpedo into the well or.drillace.

, Referring now to Fig. 2, 'Jrepresents a cylindrical casing of any suitable material. It is ,cyligdricalin form and bin diameter so nearly corresponding withthat of thewell ondrillhole as to fit loosely'and be able to descend easily therein. The loweren'd of the ,casingis armed with a heavy cast-metal point, K. The material of which-the casing is made is sudi ciently strong to enable it to carry'its i'nll ca- The-torpedo or shell A,constructed and prepared as above described, is gently lowered to its seat in the'well or drill-hole in which it is to be used. When the'charge is }to be exploded the'shell J, loaded with sand and armed with the "point K,.is dropped into the ;well or drill-hole on the top'ofthetorpedo. As the point K strikes the head B one 01' more of the caps,aetuated by the firing-pin or nipple,ex'plodesthe torpedo. Attbesameinstant the sand, released by the bursting oithe shell J escapes and becomes packed abovethe torpedo, so as to eifectually tamp the charge and cause it to act laterally instead of vertically. and thus confine its operation as nearly'as ,possible to the;.strata in 'whichflit is located.

Instead of dropping the shell J suddenly,- -as above described, it may be lowered gently until its pointtouches the head H, and the charge may then be exploded by rai'singtheshcll J a by its cord or'rope and allowing it to'fall-snddeny, so as toforcihly, strike thehead I;

, Having thus described'my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:-

- A taznping and firing device consisting oi vthe shell J,of fragile and insoluble material, filled with sand and provided with the solid head 5K, whereby the sand, liberated by the destrceilon if shell J-through contact with head the ex; ading torpedo, substantiallyas here'in shown a 1 l described.

' p JAMES -E. GALLAGHER.

Witnesses: "FRED. EA'romJr- Tues. Sronns.

tog 

